Temperatures plunge to 12 degrees today

 

Tomorrow is expected to be even colder, with some rain patches

Hong Kong experienced an unexpected dip in temperatures, with the mercury dropping to as low as 12 degrees this morning, and rose only slightly in the afternoon.

Forecasters say they expect the temperature to plummet further later tonight and early tomorrow.

In most parts of the New Territories temperatures plunged even further down, registering at 7.6 degrees in Ngong Ping on Lantau, and 9.1 degrees in Tai Mo Shan, the city’s tallest hill.

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The cold weather was unaccompanied by a significant amount of rainfall that was forecast by the Hong Kong Observatory for last Monday and Tuesday, but did not materialize.

In a blog, the Observatory explained that the disturbance in the upper atmosphere which was noted last weekend was about 5 kilometers above sea level, and was positioned further north than predicted.

It added the wrong forecast highlighted the limitations of the models they use in predicting more accurately severe convective weather and heavy rain.

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“The northeast monsoon will persist over Guangdong today and tomorrow. Temperatures will fall progressively over the region,” the Kong Observatory said.

It added that a broad band of clouds will continue to bring a few rain patches until tomorrow.

The weather will gradually improve over the weekend, before turning noticeably warmer, with temperatures rising to as high as 25 degrees next Tuesday.

However, the day is forecast to turn humid and foggy by mid-week next week, as another maritime airstream sweep across the city.

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Court excludes voice recording from theft case against Filipina

 

Place where alleged theft happened (Google Maps photo)

A major piece of evidence – a sound recording described by prosecutors as an oral confession by a Filipina accused of stealing a gold ring and a gold necklace from her employer – was excluded today from her trial at Eastern Court.

Magistrate Frances Leung agreed with the duty lawyer of Lilibeth Fabros, 51 years old, that there was doubt over whether the recording was taken voluntarily, but ruled that she has a case to answer.

Fabros testified earlier that she found out about the recording only when her duty lawyer informed her about it, long after charges were filed against her.

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Last Feb. 26, Fabros testified that the jewelry she was accused of stealing from her employer Linda Chan at her flat in Dragon Garden, Tai Hang, on Nov. 15, 2021, were hers.

The two items, recovered from a pawn shop in North Point to which she led two police investigators, were not among those listed by Chan as missing.

The recording was taken from one of the three confontations between Fabros and Chan.

Fabros testified that their first conversation was in the afternoon of Aug. 9, 2013, when Chan asked if she saw a diamond ring. “I said I did not,” she said. “I felt upset because she told me that if she proves I took it, she will report me to police and Immigration.”

Chan recorded the second conversation on her mobile phone that night, without informing Fabros, who was said to have admitted the theft. But the defendant said she only offered to repay her employer through salary deductons because she was in a panic and feared losing her job.

As a result of her testimony, Fabros’ lawyer asserted that the ring and necklace she admitted to have  pawned are not related to the case.

He also insisted the secret voice recording was not a confession and should not be admtted as evidence as that would be unfair to Fabros.

Magistrate Leung freed Fabros on $3,000 bail and set the trial’s resumption to April 1.

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8 Filipinos arrested for allegedly working illegally in moving company

 

Those arrested included asylum seekers, a FDH and an overstayer 

In a rare move, the Immigration Department announced that eight of nine persons arrested in an anti-illegal work operation conducted by its agents in Kwai Chung yesterday, Mar 4., were Filipinos. The ninth is a local who is believed to have hired them.

Usually, Immigration does not indicate the nationalities of the people they arrest in their anti illegal work operations.

The statement said the eight suspects were caught while performing transporting and wrapping duties in a unit of the industrial building. They comprised seven men and one woman, aged 34 to 60.

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Among them, six men were holders of recognizance forms, or asylum seekers, who are prohibited from taking up any employment.

One man was employed as a foreign domestic helper while the other was an overstaying former FDH.

Arrested with them was a 51-year-old male Hong Kong resident who is suspected of employing them.

The statement said the investigation is ongoing, and more persons involved in the operation may be arrested. 

The recognizance paper held by 6 of those arrested

Immigration warned that illegal work is a serious offence that merits a jail sentence. 

Those who commit the offence while on tourist or domestic helper’s visa could be jailed for up to two years and fined $50,000.

Recognizance paper holders or overstayers face a maximum of three years in prison and a fine of $50,000.

Those found to have employed illegal workers could be jailed for up to 10 years and fined a maximum of $500,000.

 

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HK-based JLG unveils 5-storey church building in Pangasinan

 

JLG's new church building stands proud and tall in Calasiao, Pangasinan

It all started with a dream some 12 years ago. Young Abigail, the fourth child of Bishop Gerry Vallo who founded the then fledgling Jesus the Living God church in Hong Kong, was doodling on a small piece of paper while confined in a hospital for a leg injury when she suddenly said, “This is our future church building.”

Bishop Gerry and his wife, Pastora Edelyn, were taken aback by the young girl's confident pronouncement but were also elated, for the image presented them was something right out of a dream. 

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At the time, the JLG leader said he had been asking God to help him attain a new perspective in leading a church, after working his way up to lead a big congregation, then finding himself starting all over again with JLG.

“It was as if God confirmed to a babe…that something great was about to happen,” said Bishop Vallo.

The Vallo family singing onstage during the inauguration ceremony

But it took a lot more years of hard work and dedicated fund raising before that dream that grew out of Abigail’s premonition became a reality. 

The revelation came on Jan. 19 this year when the entire Vallo family was joined by friends and family from all over the world in inaugurating JLG Chuch International Headquarters in Calasiao, Pangasinan.

Among those who came were some longtime supporters of JLG from all over the world and the Philippines, including Bishop Moses Chungalao of the Free Believers in Christ international church, who despite some health problems, had himself driven from Baguio and back, to lead  the opening rites.

Guests who came from various places in the Phl and abroad cut the ceremonial ribbon

The newly built, five-storey building housing the JLG headquarters is a sight to behold. Painted in striking blue, siena and peach colors, the building that rose from what used to be a land overgrown with cogon grass could be seen from several blocks away though it is set back a few meters from the highway.

“From nothing to something” is how the Vallo couple often explain what to them, is a true gift from God.

After Abigail’s innocent foretelling, it took another two years before the dream started to take shape. Bishop Vallo said that while watching a noontime show on TV, he distinctly heard God telling him that an acquaintance from Calasiao, Arnold Padlan, would donate land for the church. But he was told not to call or send a message to Padlan, but to see him personally.

That same year, the Vallo couple went to see Padlan in Pangasinan. The bishop said he boldly told him about the message he got from God, and was met with complete silence. After a few minutes Padlan told the couple that they should have dinner, and late that night, drove them to his land and pointed to where they could build their church.

That led to another problem: funding. The Vallos knew it would take a lot of help from their friends and supporters before they could even get the building started, but they were undeterred.

After determining they needed at least P6 million to build, they called on friends, business people, fellow pastors and family members to help them realize their dream. From Hong Kong they went to the Philippines, and later North America, to get funding help.

“The first time I raised the goal of raising six million pesos, most of the people listening to me were shocked, but God prevailed,” said Bishop Vallo.

Realizing later on that Php6 million was not enough to complete the building they raised their goal to Php 9 million, still clinging to the thought that what may seem unbelievable could be achieved with God’s grace.

Bishop Moses leads prayer on inauguration day

In due time, and even amid the pandemic, JLG not only met its target, but surpassed it by nearly Php5 million to date. Particularly heartwarming, according to Bishop Gerry, were the donations that came from the hard-earned money of their OFW members, especially one who donated more than Php300,000 “for God’s kingdom.”

With the building now nearly finished, JLG has begun working on the activities they could all do under one room.

“Our mandate is to do the great commissions of God; that is the reason why God gave us this building,” said Bishop Gerry.

He said their long-term goal is to use their training center to raise new workers and pastors, and do other activities that benefit the community, like a feeding program.

All these  need continuous funding so Bishop Gerry and the JLG family is hoping more donors would step forward and help them continue their mission.

(Please send your donations to bank acount number 8751-0114-24 in the name of Jesus The Living God International Ministry Inc at the Bank of the Philippine Island branch in Caranglaan, Dagupan City, Pangasinan.)

 

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Filipina’s theft, knife-possession case moved up to DC

 

Building where the offenses were allegedly committed (Google Maps photo)

A Filipina was returned to jail after her case of theft and possession of a knife in her employer’s house was moved up by the Kwun Tong Court to the District Court.

Ruby Ann Borromeo, 42 years old, listened tearfully as Acting Principal Magistrate Leung Ka-kie scheduled her first date at the higher court for March 25.

Magistrate Leung told her that since she had no bail application, she would be returned to jail.

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But she advised Borromeo that she can go to the High Court to apply for bail, and to seek help from the Legal Aid Department so it can assign a lawyer to defend her.

A source from the Consulate, who had been helping Borromeo since her arrest, expects her to plead not guilty.

Borromeo is accused of stealing US$1,000 in cash, HK$7,000 in cash, three rings, one gold pellet, one gold bar, three coins, one wrist chain,one bracelet,one pair of earrings, two pendants, one necklace with pendant and one bag, all allegedly taken from her employer's flat.

The charge sheet did not specify the ownership of the items, identifying them only as “belonging to another”, which were stolen between July 25 and Sept. 8 last year at her employer’s house at Chiu Kwan Bldg on Ping Shing Lane, Kwun Tong.

Borromeo was also charged with possession of an offensive weapon – an unsharpened knife used to pry open an oyster – “with intent to use the same for any unlawful purpose”, when she was arrested at her employer’s flat on Sept. 9 last year.

The Filipina had claimed she did not intend to use the knife to harm another person.

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Heavy rain tomorrow, very cold again on Friday

Latest satellite image from the Observatory shows dark clouds forming over Victoria Harbour

 Showers and thunderstorms are expected to affect Hong Kong from midnight tonight until early tomorrow, Mar. 4.

The Hong Kong Observatory has called on the public to take note of the latest weather bulletin before going to work or school tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the HKO said a cold front over the northern part of Guangdong is gradually moving southwards, and will bring cooler weather to Hong Kong coastal areas starting tomorrow afternoon.

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Temperatures will fall progressively, with a few rain patches over the next few days.

While the weather is forecast to brighten gradually towards the weekend, it will remain cool, particularly in the mornings and evenings.

Temperatures in the urban areas will drop to about 14 degrees on Thursday and 13 on Friday, before gradually rising to 17 Monday next week. It will be noticeably cooler in the New Territories. 

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Benefit concert for ailing Pinoy musician set for Mar 16

 

Tyron played the bass at Bulldogs pub about a decade ago.

Filipino musicians in Hong Kong will come together for a benefit concert on Sunday, Mar 16, 4pm onwards, at The Wanch in Wanchai to raise funds for the medical expenses of bassist Tyron Santos.

“Get ready for an unforgettable evening filled with incredible music and a powerful purpose!,” said the Facebook invitation for the event titled "Hand in Hand in Hope for Tyron."

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At least 20 talented Filipino artists and bands like Mojo, HKMU’s Touchstone, Square Eyes, Sham Pain, Re’Call, Bebe’s Wish and Muzeque will perform for free

One of the organizers, Medy Villarin, said Tyron, who is already a double amputee due to diabetes, recently had angioplasty for which his wife was said to have been charged $74,000. Another surgery has been recommended for him but his family is no longer able to fund it.

The poster of 'Hand in Hand in Hope for Tyron'

The event which Villarin is co-hosting with Quincy Aranas and Joel Ugalde is in cooperation with John Prymmer of The Wanch and members of the Hong Kong Musicians Union.

Entrance fee is $100 but guests are encouraged to drop donations into a designated box at the venue.

“Please make sure you put your name in a sealed envelope before dropping your help. This way, the beneficiary can acknowledge and thank you personally, “ said Villarin.

Alternatively, donations may be sent directly to HSBC account no to HSBC account number 039 317615 288 in the name of Tyron's wife, Conde M.

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Sentencing put off for Pinoy in fraudulent toy sale

 

Fanling Court

A Filipino who sold but failed to deliver a toy after collecting payment of $2,400, was ordered by Fanling Court to return the money to his victim, after he pleaded guilty to fraud.

But that is just part of the penalty that Nicholas Agus, 26 years old, has to face when he returns to the court on March 26, after posting bail of $1,000 last Thursday (Feb. 29).

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Acting Principal Magistrate Veronica Heung adjourned the case after putting off sentencing on Agus, pending probation office and community service officer reports that she ordered.

While this order indicates that Agus might not be jailed for violating section 16(A) of the Theft Ordinance, he may be put under the supervision of a probation officer.

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Agus was charged with fraud after “falsely representing” that he would sell a toy figure upon payment of $2,400, to a certain Jeung Ying-chu, according to the police complaint dated Oct. 18, 2024.  

This, the charge sheet said, “resulted to benefit for you and prejudice for” Jeung.

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The Theft Ordinance prescribes a maximum penalty of 14 years for fraud.

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Fate defeats local rival after 12 years

 

Fate's team captain Don Gaborno in action (File)

It took 12 years for the all-Filipino softball team Fate to defeat their local rival SCAA-Star, so there was plenty of reason for the team to celebrate after their historic match on Feb 23 at the Tin Kwong playground.

Fate won, 3-2, over one of the strongest teams in bracket A of the the Hong Kong Softball Association’s tournament. In the last season, 2023-2024, SCAA-Star was ranked no. 2 while Fate was in fifth place.

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Fate, now with a 3 wins and 4 losses, will next play against Chinese Torpedors on Mar. 16, also at Tin Kwong.

Scoreboard shows the historic win by Fate

The game started with Fate as a home team. The tight defense of both teams gave no room for either to score in the first inning.

In the second, both teams managed to score, through Editha Hidalgo for Fate and Tam Hiu Nam for Star.

The fast ball of pitcher Lanilyn Aligno and good defense of catcher Eunice Locop resulted in three  consecutive standing out for Star in the third inning.

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In the last inning of the Chinese team, its player Wang Pui Wan managed to score, allowing the team to get ahead with two points.

For Fate’s last inning its players were tense as they knew it was crucial for them to add to their score with Star in the lead. 

Hidalgo proceeded to bat an outfield ball and run to first base safely. Next batter Ana Chelo Garbo also struck an outfield ball that allowed her to make it to the first base and Hidalgo to the second base. The local team then asked for a time out.

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When play resumed the umpire allowed next batter Bambee Abadilla to walk freely to the first base, ensuring the team had all the bases covered. However Hidalgo was put out on the home base. Batter Mary Joy Agodilla made it safely to the first base but base runner Garbo was also caught in the home base, resulting in two outs for Fate.

Still with full bases, batter Locop struck a long ball to the outfield, allowing base runners Abadilla and Sitchon to get to home base safely. The two additional scores sealed Fate’s dominance of the game. The umpire then stopped the game.

The team with their beloved late manager, Law Wai Ho

Fate was founded 12 years ago, and is now made up of 15 Filipino domestic helpers who are all softball enthusiasts. They choose to spend their only free day in the week in the field practicing for their next game.

The team is managed by Pamela Law, who took over the post after her father and Fate’s original manager, Law Wai Ho, passed away in 2022.

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Migrants mark Intl Women’s Day with dance vs violence

 

A whole day of dance, relaxation and 'rising' is planned for Sunday  

For the 11^th year running, migrant workers in Hong Kong will celebrate International Women’s Day by dancing en masse to protest all forms of violence against women and children.

This year’s “One Billion Rising” event organized by Gabriela Hong Kong and other women’s advocates will be held on Chater Road from 2-5pm.

But the flash mob dance is just part of the event dubbed “Women’s Cultural Festival.” There will also be cultural performances, art work sharing, speeches and games.

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On the side, there will be free services exclusively for migrants, including Filipino and Indonesian massage, blood pressure and blood glucose check-ups, counseling as well as painting lessons.

These are all part of the “Care to Caregivers” program of the Mission for Migrant Workers, which will use the occasion to hold a Thanksgiving Anniversary Celebration.

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Gabriela HK chairperson Shiela Bonifacio said the event is not just a way to gather migrant women, but also serves as a venue or platform for women to talk about issues that they make them feel violated.

“For this year’s event with the theme “Women’s Cultural Festival: Stop Violence Against Women and Girls,” various groups will gather and lend support to each other,” said Tebia.

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“It is important for migrant women to be able to speak out, and to have the chance to analyze their work situation to know when they are being subjected to abuse by their employers.”

Tebia said that through mutual support, women are encouraged to fight abuse and seek justice.

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Filipina DH jailed 6 weeks for working without visa

 

Chi Fu Fa Yuen, where the Filipina was found working without a work visa (Google Maps photo)

A Filipina who continued to work as a domestic helper for three years after her visa had lapsed at the height of the pandemic, was ordered jailed for six weeks yesterday.

Noreen Soribas, 40 years old, pleaded guilty to a charge of violating her condition of stay when she appeared in a Shatin court.

She was originally charged with a second count of working illegally under the Immigration Ordinance, but this was withdrawn after she admitted the first charge.  

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Soribas was found to have worked illegally at 16B, Block 5, Chi Fu Fa Yuen in Pokfulam from Aug 21, 2021, until her arrest on Jun 14, 2024.  

She was supposed to remain in Hong Kong only until Aug. 20, 2021, but instead of leaving, she went on to work for the undisclosed employer in the mentioned address.  

The charge did not give details as to how Soribas managed to get herself hired without an employment contract or a valid visa.

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If she had worked as a domestic helper previously she should have left Hong Kong at the end of her contract, if she did not submit a new one before the expiration. If she was terminated she should have left no later than 14 days after termination.

She was meted the penalty by Magistrate David Chum, who gave her the usual one-third discount on the starting penalty of nine weeks for her guilty plea.

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